Senior police officer now faces second investigation
● Assistant Chief Constable now facing misconduct inquiry by Pirc
A senior Police Scotland officer suspended from duty last year is now the subject of a formal misconduct investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins was suspended in November by the Scottish Police Authority after “a number of criminal and misconduct allegations”.
Three other officers were also suspended and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner was directed to investigate the allegations.
The watchdog has now confirmed that Mr Higgins – who has denied any wrongdoing – is subject to a second investigation into misconduct. He was served with a Notice of Investigation yesterday.
A formal misconduct investigation has been launched into a senior police officer who is already facing criminal allegations.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) is looking into claims of misconduct and gross misconduct against Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins.
Mr Higgins, who denies any wrongdoing, was suspended alongside three other senior officers in November after a number of criminal and misconduct allegations were levelled against him by an anonymous source.
The Pirc said Commissioner Kate Frame had assessed the various allegations and determined that, if proved, some could amount to misconduct and others gross misconduct.
Mr Higgins was yesterday served with a notice telling him is now subject of a misconduct inquiry. The criminal allegations are also being investigated by the Pirc.
In a statement, the Pirc said: “The commissioner assessed the various allegations and considers that some, if proved, would amount to gross misconduct and others, if proved, would amount to misconduct.
“The senior police officer was served with a Notice of Investigation on 4 January and informed that he is the subject of a misconduct investigation.”
A statement issued on behalf of Mr Higgins said: “The Notice of Investigation served today by the PIRC contains no new allegations. ACC Higgins will provide a full response to the allegations at the earliest opportunity. He strenuously denies any misconduct and is keen to resume his duties as soon as possible.”
Mr Higgins was suspended alongside Chief Inspector Bob Glass, Superintendent Kirk Kinnell – who has since retired – and another officer who has not been named.
It is understood the allegations against Mr Higgins include the claim he used the force firing range at Jackton near East Kilbride for unauthorised purposes.
Appointed to his current role in September 2016, Mr Higgins joined Strathclyde Police in 1988. He is due to retire in March.
Niven Rennie, a retired senior officer and former president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, said: “Why has it taken this length of time to begin an investigation when he’s been suspended for a month and a half? He is coming up for retirement. One of the most able police officers in scotland and we’re not likely to see him back [at work] again.”